During the first half of 2017, Dubai Municipality ordered the temporary closure of 94 food outlets due to hygiene violations. "These food establishments were given a short period to modify their status and clear all the violations related to hygiene and unhealthy practices, expired foodstuff, and spoiled food," said Sultan Al Taher, Head of Food Inspection Section in the Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality. "At the same time, 1,409 food establishments in Dubai received an Excellent and Gold rating during the first half of 2017," he pointed out. Al Tahir explained that during this period, the inspectors of the department carried out 15,681 inspection visits, including visits to confirm the 1,733 communications received by the Municipality Call Centre at a rate of nine communications a day. “We receive several communications from consumers, but they must be confirmed before deciding whether or not to issue fines," he said.

"The visits showed that 997 communications were incorrect and 954 communications (55% of the total communications) were correct and were dealt with immediately. Some food outlets took corrective measures before the inspector arrived to ascertain the facts about the complaint. Some customers had threatened them with complaints to the municipality," Al Tahir added.

He reiterated that the municipality follows up, with concern, the reports and observations received from the public through the Call Centre, and conducts checks on food establishments, including warehouses and restaurants, to take the necessary corrective measures as per the Local Order No. 11 of 2003.